Thill-coupling



(NO M el.)

. THILL COUPLING.

No. 366,976. Patented July 19, 1887.

. t .z T m W in L .9 J F UNITED STATES EPATENT OFFICE.

ISRAEL P. OWENS, OF GAINESYILLE, TEXAS.

THlLL-COUPLING.

EBPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,976, dated July 19, 1887.

(No model.)

To (ZZZ whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that I, lsuilm. P. OWENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gainesville,in the county of Cooke and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Thill and Tongue Couplers for Buggies, Hacks, Carriages, and all Vehicles that have not PlatformSprings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof.

In my invention I aim to unite neatuess, strength, durability, and convenience, the chief object of my coupler being the speedy and convenient interchanging of thills and tongue, as will hereinafter be shown.

Figure l is a perspective view of the entire coupler and clip connected ready for use. Fig. 2 is a view of the entire coupler in separate sections, giving a separate view of each part. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of Fig. 1.

Similar lettersrefer to similarpartsthroughout the several views.

The checkpieces A t and clip P are made solid, as shown in Fig. 2,with plate D at bottom and top, forming anti-rattler bed. The small hole in groove L on check-piece A, as shown in Fig. 2, is for pin in to pass through from the inside of anti-rattler bed, and upon which the leverB rests when placed in position, as shown in Fig. 3. This pin in, pressing against anti rattler 11, forms the spring for clasping slideplate 0, when said plate is shoved back until catch J comesinto notch s on lever B. This securely locks the entire coupler. This lever B is hinged in the end of bolt K, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and is. used as a handle for inserting and drawing out the bolt which holds the thills and tongue when in operation. It also forms the lock and key, which securely holds the bolt in its place when in use without the aid of a nut.

In operating this coupler, press the knob B, as shown in Fig. 1, back until it will allow slide-plate c, which works in a dovetail, to draw out until it comes against check-screw tin the end of check-piece A, disclosing the bolt K,which holds the thills or pole, raise the lever or handle B, as has been previously mentioned, out of grooveL to a line with bolt K, press the thills or pole back, and draw out the bolt. The groove h on the inside of slideplate 0, as shown in Fig. 2, allows it to pass over check-screw t in the end of check-piece A, as previously referred to. It also gives space for lever B in clasping. The hole for bolt Kin check-piecc t may be made only about fivesixths of the way through, leavingashield upon the outside, and slide-plate c forming the same on the inside, thus inclosing the bolt from view, and preventing its escape from its proper place-the bolt securing the thills, the thills securing anti-rattler, anti-rattlersecuring the clasp, the clasp securing the bolt, thus forming a combined lock. Groove L is cut dovetail.

This coupler can be used on all buggies,- hacks, &c., now in use without the changing or remodeling of thill or tongue irons.

I claim as my invention- 1. A thill-coupling comprising perforated 7o checlepicces A and t, and a couplingbolt having a locking-lever hinged thereto and adapted to be secured in a recess in the check-piece A, substantially as described.

2. A thill-coupliug comprising perforated checks A and t, a coupling-bolt, a locking-lever hinged to said bolt, a recess in the check A, and a cover-plate adapted to fit said recess and secure the locking-lever, substantially as described.

3. A thill-coupling comprising perforated checks A and t, a coupling-bolt, a locking-lever hinged to said bolt, said lever being provided with knob B and notch s, a cover-plate having groove hand catch J, and aspring'pin, m, adapted to hold the lever and cover in engagement, substantially as described.

ISRAEL P. OVENS.

\Vitncsses:

H. S. HOLMAN, G. H. RAGSDALE. 

